Election 2013

Wednesday

Nov 6, 2013 at 11:16 AMNov 6, 2013 at 1:11 PM

So I had a long analysis of yesterday’s results written – and the computer ate it. I hate when that happens.

The condensed version: The tea party lost, but not so decisively for them to change their ways. If anything, they are going to be more angry at the Republican establishment than before. And they aren’t going to embrace Chris Christie just because he’s shown he can win votes from women and Hispanics. They held their noses to support Mitt Romney, a nice guy they didn’t trust, in 2012. In 2016, they won’t easily be won over by the combative Christie.

Health care apparently counted in Virginia. Republican Cuccinelli won more votes from people who don’t like Democratic health care, meaning Obamacare. But Terry McAuliffe won more votes from people who don’t like Republican health care, meaning Cuccinelli’s efforts to ban abortion and birth control and the GOP legislature’s vaginal ultrasound mandate.

It’s all about Republicans, because that’s where the big fight is. On the Democratic side, the victory of Bill DiBlasio, who built his campaign on income inequality and rolling back tough-on-crime tactics, and Cory Booker, who said criminal justice reform will be his top priority, signals the rise of post-Obama, post-Clinton, proud liberals. I have a feeling post-Clinton Democrats are not all that excited about nominating Hillary Clinton.

Rick Holmes

So I had a long analysis of yesterday’s results written – and the computer ate it. I hate when that happens.

The condensed version: The tea party lost, but not so decisively for them to change their ways. If anything, they are going to be more angry at the Republican establishment than before. And they aren’t going to embrace Chris Christie just because he’s shown he can win votes from women and Hispanics. They held their noses to support Mitt Romney, a nice guy they didn’t trust, in 2012. In 2016, they won’t easily be won over by the combative Christie.

Health care apparently counted in Virginia. Republican Cuccinelli won more votes from people who don’t like Democratic health care, meaning Obamacare. But Terry McAuliffe won more votes from people who don’t like Republican health care, meaning Cuccinelli’s efforts to ban abortion and birth control and the GOP legislature’s vaginal ultrasound mandate.

It’s all about Republicans, because that’s where the big fight is. On the Democratic side, the victory of Bill DiBlasio, who built his campaign on income inequality and rolling back tough-on-crime tactics, and Cory Booker, who said criminal justice reform will be his top priority, signals the rise of post-Obama, post-Clinton, proud liberals. I have a feeling post-Clinton Democrats are not all that excited about nominating Hillary Clinton.